Trentend

Here’s the bag I’m using for the mount. I’ve left a piece of the dense foam that came with the AZ100 to line the bottom. Highly recommended plus plenty of pockets for other bits and bobs. The photo is a bit misleading as it makes the bag look much larger than the mount but in reality there’s just a couple of inches spare all around.

I bought one for my C11 but to be honest the movement is so smooth (fingertip/no effort) I think it’s going to be surplus to requirements. The scope and mount are on a planet tripod. Rock steady. The slow motion controls are also fantastic, so much so that the Mount zero I also have feels “stuck” in comparison (need to work out how to adjust that).

I came close to getting the tpod (which looks like a work of art) to save a few pounds in weight but have no regrets with the planet: no grating noise when you extend the legs, no counterweight required (a big win for me) and it’s actually more manageable than expected. I also picked up a padded builders type bag from B&Q for £25 which is a perfect fit for the AZ100. I’ll stick some photos on later this week.

The big surprise with the mount is how smooth the slow mo controls are even with a big scope onboard. I have a mak127 on a zero mount for genuine grab and go which is fantastic but didn’t realise how stiff/tight the controls were on that until trying the Rowan this evening. Need to read up on the zero mount forum about loosening that a bit.

I’ll get some pics on tomorrow. So far am using the alt only. Feels rock steady and hopefully not a tip hazard (famous last words!).

Certainly not a grab and go set up, but the three main components are just about easy enough to break down and carry separately to the car and set up is around 60 seconds only. Certainly think I’ll be more inclined doing that than taking a truss dob apart and back up again which is closer to 10 minutes plus another 5 trying to find dropped wing nuts. Once collimation sorted looking forward to trying the NV goggles in this at a dark site.

New set up for dark sky trips slowly starting to come together (used C11 on AZ100 and planet tripod). The latter arrived today. Bigger than expected but very stable and a doddle to fit the mount on so am glad I went with that rather than the lighter tpod which would have needed counterweights. The AZ100 is a serious bit of kit. Stuck the C11 on it. Rock solid and movement in all directions, once balanced, was sooo smooth. In hindsight didn’t need the tilt handle as easy to move using the grab handle on the C11, but hey ho. 

Observing time next few weeks likely to be limited with poor weather so decided to fit the Bobs Knobs so fully ready to go. Followed the instructions loosening all 3 screws a little to begin with then taking one out and replacing one at a time. Surprised at one point how loose the secondary felt. Hope this was ok and I’ve not cross threaded the new screws!

Have started to search for recommended collimation techniques. So many out there. Is there a general consensus on this (seems to be unfocusing on Polaris and taking it from there until the concentric rings are equal). Not sure if there’s something I can do under cloudy skies in prep? I’m used to a Howie glatter in the dob which takes seconds anytime.

New toy arrived yesterday. Lovely piece of kit, beautifully engineered but does weigh a bit and wouldn’t like to drop on my toes! Has anyone found a suitable padded bag/case to store and transport? I’ve seen a few Oklop bags that may be ok. Not sure if something like this would work (need to get the tape measure out -EQ5 or 6?).

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescope-bags-cases-storage/oklop-padded-bag-for-sky-watcher-eq6-r-mounts.html

Am looking to potentially use a very light skywatcher finder scope which I already have (same as the first link below) on my C11 rather than the nicer but much heavier stock Celestron version that came with the C11. Assuming this is possible with an appropriate shoe plate? Not sure if the second link below would work? I might have to rely on one screw only as don’t want to be doing any drilling. I use a rigel and Nexus DSC so the finder scope is really just there for initial alignment and nothing else. Visual only.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/sky-watcher-6x30-right-angled-finderscope.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/finders/finder-mounting-shoe.html

Thanks Jeremy, can I ask do you use counter weights with the planet for heavy scopes? I’m hoping not as that’s already 3 heavy items to carry out and back separately to the car (C11, AZ100 and likely the planet tripod). Not sure my knees would take a fourth. I had discounted the tpod as, although materially lighter than the planet, weights are definitely needed for that.

All of this is supposed to be giving me something more portable than the 18” dob I already have; I can’t lift the mirror box for that even when broken down and after 2 years use in the back garden I’ve never been tempted to take it apart and travel to a dark sight so know I never will. 

Thanks John, one more question if I may. Is it the usual quick/hassle free job removing and attaching the AZ100 to whatever tripod I get? I had a look again at the weight specs and doubt I’d be able to keep/carry the mount on either the tpod or planet (16kg v 20kg respectively) so may as well get the latter if no counterweight required meaning just two parts to carry.

Looking for a lightweight but padded bag (not a case) to store a C11 allowing easy transportation to and from the house to the car. Had considered one of the Altair padded backpacks (below) but wondering if this is just going to roll around unless kept vertical (which I’ve read is not a good idea).

https://www.altairastro.com/padded-bag-backpack-for-11-inch-sct-celestron-meade---deluxe-96-p.asp

Perhaps one of these Geoptiks instead?

https://www.geoptik.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=85&product_id=979

Any advice welcomed.

Interesting. Would you say counterweights were needed with the Uni? The C11 arrives tomorrow which will give me the feel for the weight.

Thanks John, I looked at the planet but that looked quite a bit heavier and I’m ideally looking for something I can lift with the AZ100 kept on top. Suspect I’ll end up going with the Avalon tpod 110 (or Baader equivalent) which is 6.8kg - need to check though I wouldn’t need counter weights for this.

Has anyone used one of these? Looking to get a Uni 18 potentially for an AZ100 mount. Not sure if the standard or variable spreader would be better for stability (would be holding a C11).

Are geared centre columns a no no introducing too much vibration? I have a series 4 Gitzo traveller, scopetech mount and mak 127. Guessing the weight on the tripod is circa 5kg and happy to report virtually no vibration. Even when using slow motion controls (first time tonight) the image settles in a fraction of a second. But I continue to find it a chore adjusting the individual legs on the tripod to get a comfortable viewing height (plus dangerous as I get lazy and often try to do with the scope still attached). A geared centre column looks like a convenient fix but would this render the views too unstable? 

Mine arrived today. Very good first impressions. Solid, quality bit of kit (should be for the price!) but also lightweight shaving a couple of KG over my M2 mount. Only criticism about the set up so far are the skywatcher slow motion controls fitted:

a) they keep slipping off (is there a better fitting I can attach to the end so they’re more secure)

b) the plastic handles are a little on the sharp side so not particularly comfortable to use

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Sensational lunar views up here in Edinburgh with a rare cloudless/windless night and the moon up high. If my maths is correct I was getting very sharp and surprisingly bright views at over x320 magnification with a little mak127, Binotron, D14’s and powerswitch on high setting. Best I’ve ever seen. Pretty small field of view (as expected) but watching the Apenninus come in to view was amazing. Gitzo and M2 very steady but I’d like to try a new mount with slow motion controls as I struggle to balance the mak and am not a nudge fan. Scopetech zero mount on the cards me thinks.

Thanks John. Not sure my back would though!

Would this mount work on an Avalon tpod 110 with a C11 edge? Looking for a portable(ish) set up for dark site night vision trips. Seems to tick all the boxes (slow motion controls if I want to do some high mag solar stuff, Nexus compatible, motors in pipeline). Was considering a panther mount, which looks like a work of art, but that is a lot more expensive and heavier (the tpod also looks about half the weight of the Berlebach tripods, not sure if as stable though?)

I can recommend these (you can buy singles or bino mode). Block out all surrounding light. 

Thanks for the advice, I’ll investigate. Presume neither will invalidate the warranty?

First try this evening with an Az GTi on Gitzo mount and Mak127. Quick and easy to set up and seemed to take the weight of kit (circa 5kg) in its stride. Tracked moon and Mars very accurately.

Only criticism, there was a small but distinct judder every couple of seconds like the ticking of a clock as the unit tracked. Presume this is down to damping of the tripod (lightweight series 5) rather than the mount? Hoped it would track more smoothly. Thoughts?

Finally had a gloriously clear night for some DSO viewing. Decided to dust off the 18” dob, OVNI-B night vision goggles and Televue 67mm convertor / 55mm combo, all rested recently due to the poor weather and, when ok, exciting planet action. Also the fIrst time trying a new filter wheel, which is cheap, built like a tank and not easy to use/rotate but does the job allowing a quick comparison between filters; a 642 Astronomik pro planet, 12nm Astronomik and 3.5nm Antlia. I really struggled with the latter last time out back in Autum thinking there was far too much scintillation. But in hindsight that was a Newbie error as I was just using it to scan across the sky rather than at objects the filter was actually made for. More on this later...

Anyway, Dob outside around 4pm, left to cool for an hour or so, aligned the Nexus DSC, swig of left over Christmas Baileys and off we go...

First up, North American and Western Veil nebula. Barely noticeable with the 12nm but really popped with the 3.5. Not a bright view but something completely new for me so quite impressed. Could make out the shape clearly with some real definition. Suspect I need to be at a dark site though for these to really sing. But a good start.

Then tried a couple of old friends with the Dumbell and Ring nebula. Again both really clear and best in the 3.5nm.

A few nudges and up popped Andromeda. 642 best this time. View was amazing. Almost as big and bright as the M13 globular cluster seen back in the summer, but brighter and really impressive against a darker sky. Could also clearly see M32 and just about make out M110 nearby, the latter with some averted vision.

Next tried some fainter galaxies relying on instructions from the Nexus. Appreciate NV probably isn’t best for these but ticked off M33 and a couple of other similar faint smudges. These remain a work in progress.

At this point frostbite was setting in so decided to pop indoors for a hot cuppa.

Round two and by now Orion was coming in to view, something I’ve been waiting for all year. Started with the Flame nebula. Could just about see this with the 12nm but very clear in the 3.5. Easy to make out the shape and detail. Also noticed another faint band of nebulosity almost at right angles and up from the Flame with a large black notch. Oh my, it’s the Horsehead nebula! Not Hubble quality but could clearly make out the shape, Not much scintillation either, which was a surprise. I’m assuming this would be even brighter at a dark site (need to get that portable scope for this). Popped the binoviewer and 24mm panoptics in to compare but zip, as expected.

Another few nudges and had a quick look at the California and Rosetta nebula. Neither earth shattering but could just about make them out.

Finally the main course: M42. Excuse my language. Bl@#dy he££. I nearly fell off my chair and did actually shout something out loud, before running indoors to tell my wife. Started with the 642 (very good) moved to the 12nm (fantastic) and then rotated in the 3.5 (sensational). The whole nebula was perfectly framed in the FOV. So much definition, trapezium clear. And so bright. Unbelievable. Not exaggerating saying this looked like the sort of image you’d see in a book. Also zero scintillation. A completely unforgettable experience.

At this point the clouds were starting to roll in so packed the gear away, moved indoors and celebrated with a wee dram. 3 hours of pure adrenaline fuelled viewing. And all of this from a heavily light polluted backyard in the middle of a city. Only downside is I really can’t see things ever getting any better than this.

Right, off to bed...

Background: Very happy with my “grab” kit for lunar and planets (Mak127 on Gitzo). But the “go” bit is driving me nuts. Three times this week I’ve put the scope outside to cool under what appear to be clear and still skies only to check 10mins later and be met with cloud and rain. So I really need something that doesn’t require any cool down or collimation and is good to go pretty much straight away inbetween breaks in the cloud.

I currently get great high mag views through the mak or big dob with a Binotron, 24mm pans and powerswitch on medium and high settings (circa x150 and x190 I believe with the OCS in place). If I go down say the FC100 route (the DF version as a 2” focuser needed) and still use the Binotron, what options do I have to get equivalent high magnifications? Using the astronomy tools site the current set up would roughly be halfed in the Tak. Would I need to invest in an extender and / or a new set of eyepieces around 12mm to still get up to (and beyond?) say x200? Would that be too much light loss in a binoviewer?

Appreciate there are a number of similar threads but struggling to find a consensus on a reliable and lightweight, portable power option for the AZ GTI mount (mine arriving next week). Have narrowed this down to;

a) Panasonic eneloop pro rechargeable AA batteries (or similar) but one or two comments suggesting these may not provide consistent/adequate power all the time for tracking and Wi-fi beyond a few hours?

b) TalentCell Rechargeable 36W 12V/6000mAh 5V/12000mAh or the smaller/cheaper 3000mAh version (are these safe to keep in the house / not prone to get damaged or combust if left in an unheated shed?)

c) I already have a tracer 12v 4ah LiPo battery pack used in my dob. Might be able to save a few pennies and just plug this in? Very rare I’d have both scopes out at the same time. Very rare I’ve had either out with the weather since October!

Any thoughts welcomed. Thanks

Now raining. Grrrrr.